Non Direct Patient Care

Mr Ian · Jan 17, 2009

CathyLew · Jan 17, 2009

the disgusting smelling patients.... everything. Bedside nursing is not in my personality. What type of things could a person with an RN degree (with a psych degree, and experience as a patient registrar) do in the health-care field that has nothing to do with touching/being near/ patients?

Ouch. You do know that these are people? and that we will all get old some day. I hope when I am old and smelly, that my nurse has a little better outlook and feel for the job. That said...... on to your question.

QA, Infection Control, Chart Reviews, Insurance audits, Staff Education... lots of management positions that don't involve patients. I can't garantee that some of the staff members won't smell thought.

BroadwayRN, ASN, RN · Jan 17, 2009

I hate everything, the disgusting smelling patients.... everything. Bedside nursing is not in my personality.
What type of things could a person with an RN degree (with a psych degree, and experience as a patient registrar) do in the health-care field that has nothing to do with touching/being near/ patients?

You could work for an insurance company reviewing charts. I hope when you get old and smelly that a nurse whose in it for the right reasons gets assigned to you. I realize nursing is not for everyone but disgusting smelling patients is a bad attitude for a nurse, even one who doesn't like bedside nursing.

barbyann · Jan 17, 2009

In my experience, the clerical nursing jobs are saved for those nurses who haved worked at the bedside for years and find themselves unable to physically perform the bedside role. They then, as an act of appreciation, get the desk jobs. They are able to bring their years of knowledge to the "clerical" side of nursing. I am hoping for such an opportunity when I am no longer able to perform as a floor nurse.

meandragonbrett · Jan 17, 2009

Case management, QA, Infection Control.

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 17, 2009

Marry a rich man, quit your job, and live a life of leisure.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 17, 2009

I think perhaps you need to do a self-evaluation so that you can then choose a better field. Your patients deserve a compassionate and kind nurse, and to your credit, you realize you are not that person.

Other posters have given you some solid leads. Good luck.

CathyLew · Jan 17, 2009

Marry a rich man, quit your job, and live a life of leisure.

good idea! oh, but make sure you divorce his sorry butt before he gets old and starts to smell.....

Neveranurseagain, RN · Jan 17, 2009

This is why nursing schools should require you to be a CNA/EMT/PCT for a year as a prerequisite...

It's time to get out of bedside nursing...seriously!

pnurseuwm · Jan 18, 2009

Actually, some of the most smelliest patients aren't the "old" ones. My nursing home actually has a rehab unit (that they frequently put me on) and many of my patients are quite young (not past 60).

I came to this forum for advice, not for a particular part of my post to be blown up and blown out of proportion. Aparently everyone of you have been blessed to fall right into the career that you were meant for. Others of us have not been so lucky and seek genuine help. It's great to know that you all are perfect saints, perfect multi-taskers, perfect judges, have cast-iron stomach, and have never in your lives been affected by smells.

I believe the "Career" or "LTC" forum may have understood me better. Thank you.

Mr Ian · Jan 19, 2009

Personally I think you got off lightly with the few comments you had.

Stating you 'earned' your RNs with such an appalling attitude to people is the ultimate insult to nursing.

Nursing is about caring for people and the fact that you managed to 'achieve' your RN with this attitude - since you started your course - aggravates the %^ out of me.

Someone else could have had your training place.

Good luck with your career choice.